Preparations are underway as the Gophers play a rare Friday night game against Indiana at TCF Bank Stadium. There won’t be much time for the Gophers to process a 53-28 thrashing at the hands of Nebraska. The Minnesota defense surrendered 659 yards and ten explosive plays as the Huskers moved the ball at will.
Part of the Gophers’ issues are related to scheme and personnel. The loss of safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has changed the identity of the defense. With his versatility, many aspects of the defense were set to take advantage of his skill-set.
As freshmen Jordan Howden or senior cornerback Antoino Shenault play safety, teams are scheming to exploit inexperience at the position. Opposing coordinators are often running bunch sets which forces the defense to pass players off in coverage. Various route concepts can create deception and move players out of the correct alignments. Not only that, but it can hurt the running game. Teams will run those same formations to test tackling on the perimeter. For example, cornerback Coney Durr was unable to replace and make a tackle on running back Devine Ozigbo’s 59-yard run last week.
“Defensively, we missed 18 tackles…I talk about three things – there’s a schematic part, there’s a coaching part and there’s a personnel part,” Fleck said. “Those are three columns that I always look at no matter what, all sides of the ball. When you look at schematics, we’re in position to make a ton of plays – we don’t make plays. We don’t make tackles.”
Part of the issue is related to scheme, but some of it is directly reflective of a secondary that needs more recruiting resources, head coach P.J. Fleck said.
“You miss one tackle and it’s your gap, your responsibility, that’s what happens,” Fleck said. “That’s going to be fixed through recruiting, through development, hopefully maybe getting guys back…I told you all at the beginning of the year, depending on how healthy our secondary stays, depends on I think really the strength of our defense. That’s what I said at the beginning, I like our front-seven, we’ve stopped the run with our front-seven.”
The average length of opponent touchdowns scored against Minnesota in Big Ten play is 31.5 yards. In addition, 14 of Minnesota’s total scoring plays allowed have been more than 20 yards long. The inability to play more man-press coverage is really hurting this defense. Teams can just hit the soft spots of off-man and zone coverage schemes. It’s a balancing act to mix the coverage principles enough to keep offenses honest.
“When you get in a position, you want to keep everything in front of you,” Fleck said. “And then we do go man coverage, again at times, like we saw in the run game, it comes down to one guy. That one guy misses a tackle, whoever that is, and it’s a 60-yard touchdown, especially when you’re in bump and run.”
Fleck said player development and future recruiting will be important ways to patch the scheme and develop the necessary personnel for the future. Right now, the coaches have to find a way to mix coverages and move players around to limit big plays.
“It’s also going to be a huge emphasis in 2019 recruiting as we finish up the class, we know that. But again, that’s part of the process, that’s what you know when you walk in, that’s what you know you have to fix,” Fleck said. “We knew offensive line when we got here and defensive backs were going to be things we really had to fix or develop.”
Fleck was asked whether his defense was really that inexperienced considering nine of the 11 starters are upper classmen. He indicated the major spots where players are missing or inexperienced is causing issues for what the coaches can run defensively.
“Remember, we play 5 or 6 DBs, we can’t play 5 or 6 DBs right now. We’re playing the majority in base because we don’t have enough defensive backs,” Fleck said. “And so when you start to get into that part, yes, we’re talking about maybe not freshmen, but they’re very youthful, inexperienced players.”
For the time being, the Gophers need to find a way to make adjustments to their defense in order to scale back the incredible volume of big plays they are surrendering in conference play.
Annexstad’s status is uncertain
Quarterback Zack Annexstad left Saturday’s 53-28 loss to Nebraska with an internal midsection injury. He was sent to the hospital at halftime and did not return. Fleck said he is uncertain whether Annexstad will be ready to play in Friday’s game against Indiana.
“It’s only a day-and-a-half, really, after the game for us,” Fleck said. “For us to say exactly what’s going to happen, I’d be guessing. He’s had a few things wrong with him when he was taken out.”
Fleck indicated Annexstad has been battling through a nagging ankle injury he sustained in the Miami (OH) game. It appears this issue has really impacted his mobility and confidence outside the pocket. The Gophers haven’t had the flexibility to scheme designed roll-outs or play-action looks for Annexstad due to this injury.
“[Annexstad] wants to play,” Fleck said. “He can play. He’s just limited…you hurt your ankle and to a severe part, two different types of injuries. That takes some time to get healed.”
When Annexstad left the game, redshirt freshman quarterback Tanner Morgan entered and provided a spark. He completed 11 of his 16 passes for 214 yards and interception. The Minnesota offense scored 22 unanswered points when the team’s backup was given an opportunity.
“[His performance] was gritty, gutsy, it’s what he is….he gave us a little bit more with the feet,” Fleck said. “He was able to run some option and escape the pocket, run, pick up a first down here or there, get some extra yardages.”
Morgan also added four carries for 35 yards as the Gophers implemented a speed-option wrinkle to their offense. Morgan had the mobility Annexstad wasn’t able to provide over the past few weeks.
With a short week ahead, it feels likely Tanner Morgan will play Friday against Indiana as Annexstad recovers from his injuries. However, at this time, Fleck wasn’t certain about his status.
Brooks’ situation is still evolving
Running back Shannon Brooks has been practicing, but his status is still up in the air as the team collects more information regarding an alleged assault with a male roommate. Brooks was not charged, but the program is still collecting the necessary facts.
“As of right now, no change,” Fleck said. “He is practicing, but it’s still evolving.”